Quang Nam UXO victims receive assistance

Quang Nam (VNA) – The Vietnam Bombs and Mines Action Support Association (VBMASA) presented 60 cows to victims of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in the central province of Quang Nam on December 17 to assist them with livelihood.

The beneficiaries of the 720 million VND (32,142 USD) aid package are impoverished families in Dien Ban town, and districts of Que Son, Nong Son and Dai Loc.

Quang Nam was once a major battlefield in the resistance wars for national liberation. Hundreds of local residents have fallen victims to unexploded bombs and mines left from war.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, Chairman of the VBMASA, said hundreds of billions of VND have been annually spent for detecting and clearing UXOs, but the budget can only cover the clearance of some 20,000 hectares a year.

At this rate, it would take Vietnam 300 years to clear 6.6 million hectares of land contaminated with UXOs, Soat said.

The VBMASA was established in late 2014 with more than 300 voluntary members, including individuals, organisations and enterprises. The association has set for itself the mission of raising people’s awareness of UXOs dangers and mobilising financial and technical support from individuals and organisations, both local and international for removing UXOs and assisting UXO victims.-VNA